Child-resistant packaging

ABSTRACT

A child-resistant package comprising a tray and a sleeve. The tray is configured to be inserted into said sleeve. The tray comprises memory springs and the sleeve comprises internal protrusions and access openings. The internal are configured to engage with the memory springs when the tray and the sleeve protrusions are in a closed position, such that the tray is substantially prevented from being taken out of the closed position without disengaging the memory springs from the internal protrusions. Each of the access openings overlaps with an end of each of the memory springs, such that a user may access and disengage the memory springs from the one or more internal protrusions, such that the tray is no longer prevented from being taken out of the closed position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/134,883, filed on Sep. 18, 2018, titled “Child-Resistant Packaging”, by inventors Mike Tsai and Frank Tsai, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by this reference, and to which priority is claimed.

FIELD OF USE

The present disclosure is generally relating to packages and packaging, and more particularly to child-resistant packaging.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments of the present disclosure may be directed to a child-resistant package or packaging. The package may comprise an inner tray and an outer sleeve, which may matingly receive the inner tray. The outer sleeve and inner tray may have engagement portions that prevent them from being separated without disengaging the engagement portions. The engagement portions may preferably engage when the tray is entirely enclosed within the sleeve, also known as the closed position.

The inner tray, or tray, may have one or more outer protrusions. The outer sleeve, or sleeve, may have one or more inner protrusions that may matingly engage with the outer protrusions of the tray. The sleeve may have one or more access apertures or openings that allow a user to disengage the engaged protrusions. In some embodiments, the tray may have one or more space openings or apertures that substantially overlap with the one or more access apertures when the tray and sleeve are in a closed and engaged position. The one or more tray apertures allow the protrusions, or more specifically, the ends of the protrusions, to be more easily disengaged.

In some embodiments, the protrusions may be coupled to or affixed to the sleeve or tray. The coupling may be at one edge or multiple edges or may be affixed via an adhesive.

In various embodiments, the material of the child-resistant packaging may be a wood fiber paper-based product or plastic. In some embodiments the sleeve may be plastic and/or wood fiber paper-based and the tray may be plastic or a combination of plastic and paper. In some embodiments the sleeve, tray, and/or both may be constructed from a single foldable die-cut sheet.

One embodiment is a child-resistant package, comprising: a tray; and a sleeve; wherein the tray is configured to be inserted into the sleeve and the sleeve is configured to accept the tray; wherein the tray comprises one or more memory springs; wherein the sleeve comprises one or more internal protrusions and one or more access openings; wherein the one or more internal protrusions are configured to engage with the one or more memory springs when the tray and the sleeve are in a closed position, such that the tray is substantially prevented from being taken out of the closed position without disengaging the one or more memory springs from the one or more internal protrusions; and wherein each of the one or more access openings overlap with an end of each of the one or more memory springs, such that a user may access and disengage the one or more memory springs from the one or more internal protrusions, such that the tray is no longer prevented from being taken out of the closed position. Preferably, the sleeve further comprises a front flap and the tray further comprises a bottom protrusion; wherein the front flap and the bottom protrusion are configured to engage with each other, such that the tray is substantially prevented from being entirely removed from the sleeve. The one or more access openings are one or more access holes or access notches. The tray may be constructed from paper-based material, plastic, and combinations thereof. The tray may alternatively be thermoformed plastic or injection molded plastic and may have a front lip. There may be two memory springs, one on each of two sides of the tray. There may be two internal protrusions, one on each of two sides of the sleeve. There may be two access openings, one on each of the two sides of the sleeve.

Another embodiment may be a child-resistant package, comprising: a tray; a sleeve; wherein the tray is configured to be inserted into the sleeve and the sleeve is configured to accept the tray; wherein the tray comprises two or more memory springs; wherein the sleeve comprises two or more internal protrusions and two or more access openings; wherein each of the two or more internal protrusions are configured to engage with a reciprocal memory spring of the two or more memory springs when the tray and the sleeve are in a closed position, such that the tray is substantially prevented from being taken out of the dosed position without disengaging the two or more memory springs from the two or more internal protrusions; wherein each of the two or more access openings overlap with an end of each of the two or more memory springs, such that a user may access and disengage the two or more memory springs from the two or more internal protrusions, such that the tray is no longer prevented from being taken out of the closed position; wherein the sleeve further comprises a front flap; wherein the tray further comprises a bottom protrusion; and wherein the front flap and the bottom protrusion are configured to engage with each other, such that the tray is substantially prevented from being entirely removed from the sleeve. The access openings may be holes or notches. The tray may be constructed a paper-based material, plastic, such as injection molded plastic, or combinations thereof. The tray may have a front lip.

Another embodiment may be a child-resistant package, comprising: a tray; a sleeve; wherein the tray is configured to be inserted into the sleeve and the sleeve is configured to accept the tray; wherein the tray comprises two memory springs; wherein the sleeve comprises two internal protrusions and two access openings; wherein each of the two internal protrusions are configured to engage with a reciprocal memory spring of the two memory springs when the tray and the sleeve are in a closed position, such that the tray is substantially prevented from being taken out of the closed position without disengaging the two memory springs from the two internal protrusions; wherein each of the two access openings overlap with an end of each of the two memory springs, such that a user may access and disengage the two memory springs from the two internal protrusions, such that the tray is no longer prevented from being taken out of the closed position; wherein the sleeve further comprises a front flap; wherein the tray further comprises a bottom protrusion; wherein the front flap and the bottom protrusion are configured to engage with each other, such that the tray is substantially prevented from being entirely removed from the sleeve; and wherein the tray further comprises a front lip. The openings may be holes or notches. The tray may be paper, plastic, or combinations thereof. If plastic, it may be injection molded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings are of illustrative embodiments. They do not illustrate all embodiments. Other embodiments may be used in addition or instead. Details which may be apparent or unnecessary may be omitted to save space or for more effective illustration. Some embodiments may be practiced with additional components or steps and/or without all of the components or steps, which are illustrated. When the same numeral appears in different drawings, it refers to the same or like components or steps.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a plan view of one embodiment of a sleeve flat.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a plan view of another embodiment of a sleeve flat.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a rear perspective view of one embodiment of a tray.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a front perspective view of one embodiment of a tray.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a bottom view of one embodiment of a tray.

FIG. 6 is a side view of one embodiment of a tray.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of a tray inserted into one embodiment of a sleeve.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of a tray inserted into another embodiment of a sleeve.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a transparent perspective view of a tray slideably engaged with a sleeve in a closed and locked position.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a perspective view of a transparent tray and sleeve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Before the present methods and systems are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the methods and systems are not limited to specific methods, specific components, or to particular implementations. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

As is used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of one or more embodiments. However, these embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and/or components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of embodiments.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. As will be realized, these embodiments are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of protection. Accordingly, the screenshots, figures, and the detailed descriptions thereof, are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment shall not be interpreted to limit the scope of protection.

In the following description, certain terminology is used to describe certain features of one or more embodiments. For purposes of the specification, unless otherwise specified, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, in one embodiment, an object that is “substantially” located within a housing would mean that the object is either completely within a housing or nearly completely within a housing. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking, the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of “substantially” is also equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result.

As used herein, the terms “approximately” and “about” generally refer to a deviance of within 15% of the indicated number or range of numbers. In one embodiment, the term “approximately” and “about”, refer to a deviance of between 0.0001-40% from the indicated number or range of numbers.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a plan view of one embodiment of a sleeve flat. As shown, the sleeve may be formed from a die-cut or stamped from a flat. The flat may have a plurality of hinges, scored or perforated, which allows a user to bend or fold the sleeve from flat into a three-dimensional sleeve. The sleeve 100 may have a bottom 104, front flap 108, first side 112, second sides 116, 117, top 120, internal protrusions 124, 128, access holes 190, 192, 194, and internal protrusion ends, 175, 179. When sleeve 100 is formed into a 3D sleeve shape, the second sides 116 and 117 are overlapped and connected together, usually through an adhesive. Access holes 190 and 194, which are sometimes referred to as openings or holes, are also preferably overlapped. Although sleeve 100 is shown as being assembled from a flat, the sleeve may be constructed in other ways. In one embodiment, the internal protrusion 124 may be glued to area 125, internal protrusion 128 may be glued to area 129. Access holes 190, 192, 194, may be slots, notches, grooves, or openings, so long as they are configured to allow access through so the user can reach the protrusion of the memory spring. The access holes, slots, and notches may be referred to as access openings. The access openings preferably do not engage with the memory springs and form no part in the engagement to prevent the tray from sliding out of the sleeve.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a plan view of another embodiment of a sleeve flat. As shown, the sleeve may be formed from a die-cut or stamped from a flat. The flat may have a plurality of hinges, scored or perforated, which allows a user to bend or fold the sleeve from flat into a three-dimensional sleeve. The small sleeve 200 may have a bottom 204, front flap 208, first side 212, second sides 216, 217, top 220, internal protrusions 224, 228, access notches 290, 292, 294 and internal protrusion ends, 275, 279. When the small sleeve 200 is formed into a 3D sleeve shape, the second sides 216 and 217 are overlapped and connected together, usually through an adhesive. Access notches 290 may overlap with access notch 294, when the small sleeve 200 is assembled. The notches 290, 292, 294 are notches, and not holes, because the small sleeve is smaller in size which means that a hole would not provide sufficient size to allow an adult human finger the access needed. Although sleeve 200 is shown as being assembled from a flat, the sleeve may be constructed in other ways. In one embodiment, the internal protrusion 224 may be glued to area 225, internal protrusion 228 may be glued to area 229.

Although FIGS. 1 and 2 show that the two sets of protrusions on are on opposite sides and directly across from each other, they may be on the same side or they may be off-set on opposite sides.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a rear perspective view of one embodiment of a tray. FIG. 3 shows the tray 300, which may comprise a bottom 302, front lip 301, back end 306, front end 308, first side 310, second side 312, and memory springs 330, 332. FIG. 3 shows that the tray 300 may be made of plastic and is thermoformed or injection molded. Thermoforming is a method of manufacturing that creates products by taking a plastic sheet and heating it to a pliable forming temperature, forming it to a specific shape in a mold, and then trimming it. The sheet may be heated in an oven to a high-enough temperature that permits it to be stretched into or onto a mold and cooled to a finished shape. Other similar processes include vacuum forming. Injection molding is a manufacturing process for producing parts by injecting molten material into a mold. Injection molding may be performed with a many different types of materials, such as metals, glass, elastomers, food, and plastic, thermoplastic, and thermosetting polymers.

FIG. 3 shows that the tray 300 may have a front lip 301 that substantially prevents the tray from sliding through the sleeve. The memory springs 330, 332 may be depressed (or deformed) when the tray is inserted into the sleeve, such that the memory springs 330, 332 do not prevent or hinder the tray from being inserted into the sleeve. Although the memory springs are shown as elongated cut outs with an external facing bump or protrusion, the memory springs may be any external protrusion that is configured to engage with and disengage from an internal protrusion on the sleeve. The external protrusion of the tray may be initially deformable by the user to allow it to disengage from the internal protrusion of the sleeve, and are deformable inward to enable the tray to slide in and out of the sleeve.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a front perspective view of one embodiment of a tray. FIG. 4 shows that tray 300 may comprise front lip 301, bottom protrusion 404, back end 306, front end 308, bottom 302 and memory springs 330, 332. FIG. 4 shows that the memory springs 330, 332 may be protrude out to be in position to engage with the internal protrusions of the sleeve. Bottom protrusion 404 may be configured to prevent the tray 300 from sliding all the way out of a sleeve with which it is engaged. As shown the bottom protrusion 404 may be a back-end flap that protrudes downward.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a bottom view of one embodiment of a tray. FIG. 5 shows that the front lip 301 and memory springs 330, 332 extend further than the first side 310 and second side 312. By extending beyond the sides 310, 312, the memory springs 330, 332 and front lip may interact with the surface of the sleeve or the protrusions within. The front lip 301 may substantially interact with the surface of the sleeve, preventing the tray 300 from sliding through the back end of the sleeve. The memory springs 330, 332 may have lateral protrusions that are configured to substantially interact with the internal protrusions of the sleeve such that a user may not push or pull the tray out of the sleeve without depressing the memory springs 330, 332 inward (through the access slots/holes). When in a closed position, the user may depress the end protrusions of the memory springs 330, 332, such that they no longer are interacting with the internal protrusions of the sleeve. The user may then push or pull the tray outward, until stopped from going farther by the bottom protrusion 404, which may interact with the front flap of the sleeve, preventing complete removal of the tray 300 from the sleeve.

FIG. 6 is a side view of one embodiment of a tray. FIG. 6 shows that the tray 300 may comprise a front lip 301, memory spring 330, side 310, bottom protrusion 404, front end 308, and back end 306. FIG. 6 shows that the bottom protrusion 404 may extend below the bottom of the tray 300. FIG. 6 shows how the memory spring 330 may preferably run along the side 310. The spring 330 may be connected to the side 310 at one end and may have a deformable end that matingly fits in a notch of the side 310.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of a tray inserted into one embodiment of a sleeve. FIG. 7 shows the sleeve 100 may be configured to engage a tray 300 in a closed position. The access hole 190/194 may provide the user access to the memory springs of the tray 300. After the memory springs are disengaged from the inner protrusions of the sleeve 100, the tray 300 may be slid out of the sleeve 100.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of a tray inserted into another embodiment of a sleeve. FIG. 8 shows the sleeve 200 may be configured to engage a tray 300. The access notch 290/294 may provide the user access to the memory springs of the tray 300. After the memory springs are disengaged from the inner protrusions of the sleeve 200, the tray 300 may be slid out of the sleeve 200.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a transparent perspective view of a tray slideably engaged with a sleeve in a closed and locked position. The sleeve 200 is shown substantially as transparent in order to show the engagement of the end 275 of the protrusion 224. The sleeve 200 may comprise an access hole 290/294, and an internal protrusion 224. The tray 300 may comprise bottom protrusion 404, memory springs 330, 332, front 308 and front lip 301. FIG. 9 shows that when the sleeve 200 and tray 300 are in a closed position, the end 275 of internal protrusion 224 engages with an end of memory spring 330. When engaged, if a user attempts to push or pull the tray 300 out of the sleeve 200, the user is unable to do so using ordinary force.

The user may remove the tray 300 if memory springs 330, 332 are pushed inward so that memory springs 330, 332 may disengage with the two internal protrusions 224, 228, such that the memory springs may pass the internal protrusions 224, 228. In order to allow the user to access and push the memory springs 330, 332 inward, access may be granted by access notch 290/294. After the memory springs 330, 332 are disengaged from the protrusions 224, 228, the tray 300 may slide out of sleeve 200. In order to prevent the tray 300 from completely pulling or pushing out of the sleeve 200, the front flap 208 may engage with tray bottom/back protrusion 404. This may be desirable, because it can be difficult to put the tray 300 back into sleeve 200 if pulled/pushed completely apart. In the event that the sleeve is open on the back end, the lip 301, as shown, prevents the tray 300 from sliding past the front of the sleeve 200.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a perspective view of a transparent tray and sleeve. FIG. 10 shows that the tray may comprise a rigid base 302, memory springs 330, 332, and bottom protrusion 404. The sleeve 200 may comprise access notches 290,294, internal protrusions 224, 228. The back protrusion 404 may be configured to engage with front flap 208 of sleeve 200, such that the tray 300 is generally prevented from being entirely removed from the sleeve 200.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the above detailed description, which shows and describes the illustrative embodiments. As will be realized, these embodiments are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the detailed description is to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, although not explicitly recited, one or more additional embodiments may be practiced in combination or conjunction with one another. Furthermore, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment shall not be interpreted to limit the scope of protection. It is intended that the scope of protection not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims that are appended hereto.

Except as stated immediately above, nothing which has been stated or illustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent to the public, regardless of whether it is or is not recited in the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A child-resistant package, comprising: a tray; and a sleeve; wherein said tray is configured to be inserted into said sleeve and said sleeve is configured to accept said tray; wherein said tray comprises one or more memory springs; wherein said sleeve comprises one or more internal protrusions and one or more access openings; wherein said one or more internal protrusions are configured to engage with said one or more memory springs when said tray and said sleeve are in a closed position, such that said tray is substantially prevented from being taken out of said closed position without disengaging said one or more memory springs from said one or more internal protrusions; and wherein each of said one or more access openings overlap with an end of each of said one or more memory springs, such that a user may access and disengage said one or more memory springs from said one or more internal protrusions, such that said tray is no longer prevented from being taken out of said closed position.
 2. The child-resistant package of claim 1, wherein said sleeve further comprises a front flap; wherein said tray further comprises a bottom protrusion; wherein said front flap and said bottom protrusion are configured to engage with each other, such that said tray is substantially prevented from being entirely removed from said sleeve.
 3. The child-resistant package of claim 1, wherein said one or more access openings are one or more access holes.
 4. The child-resistant package of claim 1, wherein said one or more access openings are one or more access notches.
 5. The child-resistant package of claim 1, wherein said tray is constructed from a material selected from the group of materials consisting of at least one of: paper-based material, plastic, and combinations thereof.
 6. The child-resistant package of claim 1, wherein said tray is injection molded plastic.
 7. The child-resistant package of claim 1, wherein said tray further comprises a front lip.
 8. The child-resistant package of claim 1, wherein there are two memory springs, one on each of two sides of said tray.
 9. The child-resistant package of claim 1, wherein there are two internal protrusions, one on each of two sides of said sleeve; and wherein there are two access openings, one on each of said two sides of said sleeve.
 10. A child-resistant package, comprising: a tray; a sleeve; wherein said tray is configured to be inserted into said sleeve and said sleeve is configured to accept said tray; wherein said tray comprises two or more memory springs and a bottom protrusion; wherein said sleeve comprises two or more internal protrusions, two or more access openings, and a front flap; wherein each of said two or more internal protrusions are configured to engage with a reciprocal memory spring of said two or more memory springs when said tray and said sleeve are in a closed position, such that said tray is substantially prevented from being taken out of said closed position without disengaging said two or more memory springs from said two or more internal protrusions; wherein each of said two or more access openings overlap with an end of each of said two or more memory springs, such that a user may access and disengage said two or more memory springs from said two or more internal protrusions, such that said tray is no longer prevented from being taken out of said closed position; and wherein said front flap and said bottom protrusion are configured to engage with each other, such that said tray is substantially prevented from being entirely removed from said sleeve.
 11. The child-resistant package of claim 10, wherein said one or more access openings are one or more access holes.
 12. The child-resistant package of claim 10, wherein said one or more access openings are one or more access notches.
 13. The child-resistant package of claim 10, wherein said tray is constructed from a material selected from the group of materials consisting of at least one of: paper-based material, plastic, and combinations thereof.
 14. The child-resistant package of claim 10, wherein said tray is injection molded plastic.
 15. The child-resistant package of claim 10, wherein said tray further comprises a front lip.
 16. A child-resistant package, comprising: a tray; a sleeve; wherein said tray is configured to be inserted into said sleeve and said sleeve is configured to accept said tray; wherein said tray comprises two memory springs; wherein said sleeve comprises two internal protrusions and two access openings; wherein each of said two internal protrusions are configured to engage with a reciprocal memory spring of said two memory springs when said tray and said sleeve are in a closed position, such that said tray is substantially prevented from being taken out of said closed position without disengaging said two memory springs from said two internal protrusions; wherein each of said two access openings overlap with an end of each of said two memory springs, such that a user may access and disengage said two memory springs from said two internal protrusions, such that said tray is no longer prevented from being taken out of said closed position; wherein said sleeve further comprises a front flap; wherein said tray further comprises a bottom protrusion; wherein said front flap and said bottom protrusion are configured to engage with each other, such that said tray is substantially prevented from being entirely removed from said sleeve; and wherein said tray further comprises a front lip.
 17. The child-resistant package of claim 16, wherein said two access openings are two access holes.
 18. The child-resistant package of claim 16, wherein said two access openings are two access notches.
 19. The child-resistant package of claim 16, wherein said tray is constructed from a material selected from the group of materials consisting of at least one of: paper-based material, plastic, and combinations thereof.
 20. The child-resistant package of claim 16, wherein said tray is injection molded plastic. 